Sanitary lavatory



May 3, '1938. y c. M. ALLEN 2,115,133

f SANITARY LAVATORY Filed July 24, 1937 -Q^ willi! E@ I; is

l I I N EELS 3 Nw i M I t) l I Q\ l I 1 -N Y lx @n ma lo -1 QQ 7 INVENTOR. wwmmi llh w C/Pd f/es M A//ev Q- BY A l Lk ATTORNEY Patented May 3, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to lavatories used where a large number of people are to be accommodated and where it is desirous to provide an even smooth flow of water at low pressure to prevent splashing, squirting, and the like, and while I have herein illustrated a multiple unit lavatory it is also to be understood that the same construction is adaptable to single unit lavatories similarly constructed.

The objects of my invention are-first, to provide a device wherein water to be used is stored in a closed tank from which it will iiow by gravity through a conveniently placed spout and the flow of said water may be controlled by non-manual means so that both hands of the user may be free to wash; second, to provide such a lavatory wherein it is not necessary for the user to contact his hands with any part of the apparatus in order to operate same, thus providing additional sanitation; third, to provide a shut off means the contacting parts are adapted to the use of materials not likely to deteriorate or wear; fourth, to provide a device wherein the water supply under pressure is. reduced so that the individual shut off valves for the lavatory operate on a comparatively small pressure entirely independent of the pressure of the water supply system. A fifth object is to provide a device as hereinafter described in which there are a minimum number of working parts and which may be manufactured cheaply and efliciently, and a sixth object is to provide such a device wherein the working parts are contained within a unit case whereby they are not exposed to tampering or mis-adjustment by users. Other objects will appear hereinafter. I attain the above objects by means of the construction and mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which- Fig 1 is a front view of a lavatory made according to my invention, a part thereof being broken out to indicate that its length may be extended and portions of the case being broken away to show the interior construction; Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof taken substantially on lines 22, Fig. l; Fig. 3, a view of the valve shut off mechanism drawn on a somewhat enlarged scale; Fig. 4, a section thereof taken substantially on lines 4 4, Fig. 3; and Fig. 5, a plan view of one of the treadles 50 drawn on an enlarged scale.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts in the several views. p Numeral 2 indicates, in general, the supporting frame of the entire device and consists of a rectangular box-like lower portion 3, preferably which is both positive in its action and wherein made of sheet iron. From its lower portion an upwardly extending portion forms a space within which a rectangular tank 4 ismade by the insertion of an horizontal plate 5 which becomes the bottom for said tank, the sides being formed by front face plate 6 and the back plate l. The ends of the entire body 2 extend rearwardly from the back plate 'I to provide a recess. for the valve operating parts, hereinafter described, and a hinged top 9 is provided at the top to cover the tank and this is extended downwardly along the front edge at I0 to form a lid which may be provided with a latch and lock II, if necessary.

The lower portion of the front face plate 6 is rounded to form a longitudinal wash trough basin I2 extending throughout the length of the entire case, and this is provided with drains I3 at the ends to carry away the waste. Water under pressure is supplied through a pipe Ill and is maintained at a predetermined level within the tank d by a constant level valve I5 actuated by the oat I6.

At predetermined convenient intervals throughout the length of the supply tank, spouts Il are provided. These extend through the front plate 6 outwardly, above, and toward the wash trough I2 at their outer ends, and at their inner ends are bent angularly upward to form a vertical riser I8, forming a valve housing, the upper edge of which constitutes a seat I9 for the valve 2U. This valve is provided with a lug 31 on its upper flat face to receive an eye ring on the lower end of pull rod 2i which is, in turn, attached by an eyehook 22 to an eye ring on the end of a horizontal portion 23 of the vertically extending push rod 24. This horizontal portion enters tank 4 through a slot 25 cut through the back plate 'I of tank fl. The lower end of push rod 24 is bent to form a ring 2B which receives a pin 2 to form a hinged joint attachment to the treadle bar 28. This latter is fulcruined at 29 on a support 3@ attached to the base 3| of the main case or cabinet. Its forward portion extends outward through a slot 32 in the case and is provided with a foot pedal 33. A slotted guide 39 surrounds the upper portion of push rod 2li to maintain its alignment. It is to be understood that for each of the spouts I'I there is a complete and separate operative mechanism as just described, each provided with its individual treadle.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be noticed that the shut oli or lower face 34 of valve 2li is conical. This is fitted to form a ground joint between it and the seat I9 in the upper end of discharge I8. The stem 35 of valve 2U extends downwardly into the riser I8 and may be provided with guides 3G to maintain alignment. The lugs 31 are shown in Fig. 3 at right angles to the portion indicated in Fig. 2.

In operation, water is run into supply tank 4 from supply pipe I4 until it reaches the level 40 and is shut off by the valve l5. A user desiring to draw water from spout I1 then stands opposite the front face of the case and presses pedal 33 downward with his foot. This raises push rod 24 and pull rod 2| together with the valve 20, and permits water to flow out from spouts Il. As soon as the user is through he removes his foot from the pedal and the weight of the valve 2D causes it to close and the pressure of the water assists in maintaining a tight shut off. Such water as is drawn out from tank 4 is then automatically replaced by the action of the constant level Valve l5. In the event the weight ofthe valve is not sufficient to form a complete shut off as quickly as desired, weights indicated by dotted outlines fli in the shape of ring washers may be placed over the top of the valve.

Having now fully described my invention and its uses, I realize that to those familiar with the art various changes will suggest themselves and modifications of the form herewith shown, but nevertheless, will remain within the spirit of my invention. Therefore, I wish to be limited only by the following claims.

I claim:

l, A sanitary lavatory comprising a supporting case forming a rectangular cabinet, a wash trough extending longitudinally across the front thereof, a water supply tank extending longitudinally above and rearwardly of said wash trough, means for maintaining water at a constant predetermined level within said supply tank, a spout extending above said wash trough and adapted to discharge water there-above directed towards said wash trough at its outer end and being bent to form a vertical discharge at its inner end communicating with the bottom portion of said supply tank and having a valve seat at the upper extremity of said vertical portion adapted to 2. A sanitary lavatory comprising a supporting `case in the form of a rectangular cabinet, a

wash trough extending longitudinally along the front middle portion thereof having waste pipes in the lower basin portion thereof, and a water supply tank positioned rearwardly thereof and extending there-above longitudinally along the length of said cabinet, a water supply pipe leading into said tank and means for maintaining water therein at a constant pre-determined level, a plurality of spouts having their discharge ends positioned above said wash trough and adapted to discharge water there-above directed downwards toward the basin of said trough and having their intake ends extending into said tank and bent vertically to form a valve housing and seat at the upper extremity thereof, shut off valves positioned in the valve seat portions of said spouts having stems extending downward there-into to act as guides, and a conically-shaped under surface adapted to form a water tight seal upon said seat, said valves being provided with lugs on their upper faces to receive a pull rod, foot treadles operatively positioned in the lower portion of said supporting case with pedals extending outward through the front wall thereof, and a push rod operatively attached at their rear ends extending upwardly and into said tank whereby through the medium of a pull rod they may be operatively connected to each of the said shut off valves.

CHARLES M. ALLEN. 

